Authorities identify, release photo of suspect in Oakwood convenience store murder

OAKWOOD, Ga. — Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking for the public’s help locating a man accused of fatally shooting his former live-in girlfriend at an Oakwood convenience store Thursday night.

Authorities have obtained arrest warrants for 45-year-old Antwane Sintell Thurmond of Oakwood, charging him with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act in the death of 44-year-old Tia Vidon Keith of Oakwood.

The shooting happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. July 16 at the Subhanallah Food Mart on Mountain View Road.

Victim shot inside and outside vehicle

According to investigators, Keith drove to the convenience store and went inside to make a purchase. When she returned to her vehicle, Thurmond was sitting in the passenger seat.

Authorities said Thurmond shot Keith multiple times while they were inside the vehicle. Despite her injuries, Keith managed to escape and run back inside the convenience store. Investigators said Thurmond followed her into the store and shot her several more times. Keith died inside the business.

A store clerk and one customer were inside during the shooting but were not injured.

Deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Oakwood Police Department responded shortly after 9:40 p.m. after the clerk called 911.

Suspect remains at large

Investigators said Thurmond fled the scene in his own vehicle before deputies arrived.

Since the shooting, Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators, patrol deputies and the Warrant Service Unit, along with several other law enforcement agencies, have been actively tracking Thurmond’s movements.

Authorities recovered the vehicle Thurmond initially used to leave the scene and later executed a search warrant at a home in metro Atlanta.

“While the search turned up some evidence, Thurmond remains at large, and investigators believe he is moving around to elude capture,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release issued Sunday. “Investigators do not have information about the type of vehicle he may currently be using.”

Investigators say Thurmond first shot Tia Vidon Keith outside the Subhanallah Food Mart on Mountain View Road in Oakwood, then followed her into the store and continued shooting at her. She died at the scene. (Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

Thurmond has multiple tattoos, including a neck tattoo reading “ROMANS 12:19.” (Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

Thurmond has a prosthetic lower left leg and walks with a limp, according to investigators. (Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

Another view of Thurmond’s prosthetic leg. (Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

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Armed and dangerous

Thurmond is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 212 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has multiple tattoos, including a neck tattoo reading “ROMANS 12:19.” Authorities also said he has a prosthetic lower left leg and walks with a slight limp.

Investigators consider Thurmond armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees Thurmond is urged not to approach him. Instead, call 911 immediately.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office at 770-503-3232 or email [email protected]. Tips may be submitted anonymously.